Offshore VPS for Cuba - Navigate Internet Restrictions

Cuba's internet filtering operates through ETECSA infrastructure. The blocking system targets anti-government news, social media during protests, and content from US-based organizations (partly due to US trade embargo complications on software licensing). During the July 2021 protests, Cuba cut off internet access entirely for several days. For Cubans abroad and organizations that serve Cuban audiences, the challenge is making content accessible to users on ETECSA's network. Because ETECSA's filtering is at the infrastructure level, offshore hosting alone does not guarantee access - users inside Cuba also need bypass tools. However, hosting content offshore ensures it cannot be taken down by Cuban authorities. And as mobile internet penetration grows and Cubans use VPNs and Tor (usage has grown significantly), offshore-hosted content reaches that audience.

News organizations, human rights groups, and diaspora community platforms that serve Cuban audiences standardly host on offshore servers. Romania and Iceland both provide clean infrastructure outside Cuban regulatory reach. These organizations typically combine offshore VPS hosting with Tor hidden services or .onion addresses, ensuring content remains accessible even when ISPs block the main domain. Anubiz Host provides Tor Hosting plans specifically designed for running .onion services. US-based organizations should be aware that OFAC licenses may be required for certain business activities involving Cuba. Anubiz Host is an Icelandic company and not subject to US export controls, but US-based operators of content targeting Cuba should review OFAC guidance independently.